Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Handre Pollard has recovered from a calf injury

Pollard starts for Springboks against Tonga

Handre Pollard will start at out-half in one of 12 changes for South Africa in their must-win Rugby World Cup Pool B clash against Tonga in Marseille on Sunday.

Rugby • 27 Sep 23

Ireland are close to where they need to be ahead of Saturday's game

Ireland 'flowing' nicely as Springboks showdown looms

As Ireland gear up for a huge showdown against South Africa, Andy Farrell can be pleased with his side's progress.

Rugby • 18 Sep 23

Craig Casey has set his sights on moving up the pecking order

Casey urges Sexton to make Munster move post World Cup

World Cup debutant Craig Casey joked that soon-to-be-retired Johnny Sexton might join Leinster rivals Munster in the wake of the skipper breaking the all-time points record for Ireland.

Rugby • 17 Sep 23

Johnny Sexton has scored 1,090 points for Ireland

Farrell: A fitting way for Sexton to break Irish record

Johnny Sexton surpassed the Irish points record with a stunning try and coach Andy Farrell said it was a "fitting" score.

Rugby • 17 Sep 23

Johnny Sexton slides over for his record-breaking score

Sexton breaks record as Ireland hammer Tonga

Johnny Sexton became Ireland's top points scorer as Andy Farrell's side secured a bonus-point World Cup win over Tonga in Nantes.

Rugby • 17 Sep 23

Ireland should be able to build on their opening win

David Humphreys: Ireland v Tonga Talking Points

Former Ireland out-half David Humphreys assesses the opening round of the Rugby World Cup and challenges facing Andy Farrell's hopeful Ireland side as they face Tonga.

Rugby • 16 Sep 23

The stunning Basilique Saint-Nicolas on Rue Affre

Postcard from Nantes: World Cup comes to football town

As Ireland prepare for their second World Cup match, Michael Glennon sets the scene in the city.

Rugby • 15 Sep 23

Ireland players familiarise themselves with Stade de la Beaujoire

All systems go for Ireland after captain's run

Ireland have reported a clean bill of health ahead of Saturday's World Cup clash against Tonga in Nantes, with all 23 players coming through the captain's run.

Rugby • 15 Sep 23

Ireland and Tonga fans mix before the game, which kicks off at 8pm Irish time

Preview: No half measures allowed for Tonga task

There's too much at stake for Ireland to take Tonga lightly, writes Michael Glennon.

Rugby • 16 Sep 23

Dan Sheehan has been a key player for Ireland over the last two years

Sheehan on course for Springboks showdown

Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan is expected to be fully fit for next weekend's clash with South Africa, according to Andy Farrell.

Rugby • 15 Sep 23

Mack Hansen (l) and Peter O'Mahony at Thursday's press conference

Irish rugby needs 'characters' like Mack - O'Mahony

Peter O'Mahony says Irish rugby needs "characters" like Mack Hansen after the winger joked about having a "five-minute tiff" with boss Andy Farrell.

Rugby • 14 Sep 23

Former Munster star Malakai Fekitoa starts in the centre

Fekitoa and Piutau among Tonga starters v Ireland

Former Munster centre Malakai Fekitoa and ex-Ulster full-back Salesi (Charles) Piutau are both included in a star-studded Tonga side to take on Ireland in Saturday's Rugby World Cup Pool B meeting in Nantes.

Rugby • 14 Sep 23

Ireland lost four of 12 throws against Romania

Lineout issues not a concern for Ireland - Beirne

Tadhg Beirne says Ireland's lineout mishaps are not a concern to the team and is confident that they can be ironed out against Tonga.

Rugby • 14 Sep 23

Keith Earls: 'We know we are well capable of competing'

Earls: We know how to deal with pressure a lot better

Keith Earls says Ireland are capable of "special things" as the World Cup ramps up another notch this weekend.

Rugby • 13 Sep 23

Ahki has won three caps for Tonga since making his debut this summer

Tonga's Ahki not concerned about officiating v Ireland

Tonga's Pita Ahki says he believes his side will get fair treatment from the officials when they take on Ireland at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday.

Rugby • 14 Sep 23

Conan hasn't featured since suffering a foot injury in 5 August

Ireland back row Conan ruled out of Tonga clash

Ireland back row Jack Conan will miss Saturday's game against Tonga but is on target to train fully with the team next week.

Rugby • 13 Sep 23

'Keep grounded and stay curious' - Keegan interview

Michael Glennon sits down with Gary Keegan, the IRFU performance coach, to see how exactly he is contributing to Ireland's World Cup campaign

Rugby • 13 Sep 23

Craig Casey won the last of his 12 caps against Samoa at the end of August

Casey wary of Tonga danger with World Cup bow at hand

South Africa may loom large on the horizon but Craig Casey knows Ireland can't afford to look beyond Tonga this weekend.

Rugby • 12 Sep 23

Andrew Porter at the Ireland press conference on Tuesday

'Humbling seeing how brave those kids were' - Porter

Ireland forward Andrew Porter has paid tribute to volunteers working in the Irish Cancer Society and downplayed his role as an ambassador with the organisation.

Rugby • 13 Sep 23

Jack Conan has not played since the start of August

Conan only Ireland player to miss training

Back-row Jack Conan was the only Ireland player not to train with the squad on Tuesday morning ahead of Saturday's Rugby World Cup clash against Tonga.

Rugby • 12 Sep 23

Malakai Fekitoa played 19 times for Munster and won the URC

Tonga aim to match Ireland's physicality, says Fekitoa

Malakai Fekitoa says it will be "pretty weird" to play against some familiar faces when Tonga meet Ireland on Saturday.

Rugby • 12 Sep 23

Andy Farrell will name his Ireland team to face Tonga on Thursday afternoon

Tonga task makes for interesting selection calls

With Romania beaten with the minimum of fuss, Ireland next face Tonga, and Andy Farrell has plenty to think about when it comes to his match-day squad.

Rugby • 11 Sep 23